GOT A NOTE FROM GLADYS THIS MORNING

"Spring is definitely in the air.  I do love spring and summer but know it presents many jobs I can ignore in the wintertime.  I have started the big job of getting things together to open the cabin at the lake for the summer."

GLADYS REPORTS:

This is the time of year when it's all, like, BLAH!  We've had snow mixed with nice weather.  Mostly staying at home and doing end of the year stuff.  Lot's of shredding.

CHRISTMAS WITH GLADYS

Gladys is in her 90's and still on the go.  She'll visit her son and family in Madison (South Dakota) for Christmas and then Travel to Texas for the New Year in Dallas with her daughter and family.  But, like all of us "youth deficient folks" she added, " I love seeing my kids but seems more and more I am liking my own nest the best."

A nice note from Gladys.

"Went to Lake Madison and spent Thanksgiving with the Nelson Families.  So grateful I can still drive that distance.

Jeff's son and family came last Wednesday.  They helped get my boxes of Christmas stuff down from the shelves in the garage.  Now, if I can just get it all in place.

Right after they called I went to retrieve something from one of my freezers and discovered the freezer had died.  Erik got the spoiled food all hauled out and cleaned the freezer.  I was so thankful for his help.  If alone, I would still be struggling to get it done.

Gladys remembers we did do some trick or treating when we were kids but she added, "Certainly not to the degree it is done today.  I live on main street and usually have a hundred kids.  They come with big bags, grab and go.

I think you kids were in school before we took you trick or treating.  Now, the kids are so much younger when they come out.  I remember Lee always dressed up in a costume.  It did spook some of the kids!"

I was thinking, this morning.  I can't remember anything about us going out trick or treating, although, I'm sure we did.  Don't know if Donnie remembers but, I know, if anyone remembers it would be Gladys so I wrote her a note asking her.  Maybe she can come up with something.

Always good to hear from Gladys.

"Our weather has been really nice.  The leaves are hanging on pretty good.  I've had them picked up a couple times but there will be more.

Expecting company from Yankton on Sunday and Tuesday from Sioux City and Omaha."

GLADYS SAID:

"Very cool here today.  The wind changed and blew the humidity away."

Got a note from Gladys.

"I'm having the gals from church for coffee between services and eating noon meal downtown today.

We didn't celebrate Jeff's birthday.  He and Trudi are in Germany.  He was asked to present a talk about electricity at a meeting there."

GLADYS: BACK PAIN

"Serious back problems again.  I'm trying to avoid surgery.  One day at a time.  Will try an epidural block this coming Monday.  I'm not sure if it will work but am hopeful.  Having lots of pain."

RITA SENT A PICTURE

She thought this was a better picture of Gladys than the first one she sent.

This is better of all of them!  Love this photo.

RITA JUST SENT A PHOTO

This was taken when they met for lunch in South Dakota.

And, here's a family shot with the Grand Teatons in the background.

GLADYS HAS BEEN THERE...DONE THAT

I don't think Gladys enjoys the Casino thing as much as Kathy does.  She said, "Spent the day at the casino. I won't be doing that again anytime soon . Was interesting but I didn't really spend a lot of money."

ATTENTION KATHY: NEW CASINO IN IOWA

Gladys just wrote " Going on a day trip to a new Casino in Iowa. I am not a gambler but curious about the new facility. Leave at 10 and start home again at 3 so should be okay."

GLADYS REPORTS FROM VIBORG:

Meeting Rita and Roger, yesterday, was a delightful encounter.  We met at Charlies, in Parker, for lunch and spent a couple of hours together.

Roger was anxious to get on the road again.  I had not met him before.  He's a nice guy.  Rita seems happy and it was, almost, like seeing Edna.  She said most people think she looks like her Dad but I sure saw Edna.

It wasn't the greatest day, weatherwise, but we were inside and, almost, had the place to ourselves.

RITA AND ROGER CALLED FROM THE CAR

They had made it to Rochester before 7:30 so they're well on the way.  They have both granddaughters along and they were so excited they stayed up all night.

They plan to meet Gladys, in Parker, around 12:30 for lunch.  I'd sure like to be there for that get-together.  Rita hasn't seen Gladys since Mother died so it's been a long time.

RITA AND ROGER

THEY'RE OFF!

Rita and Roger are heading out west this morning.  They're on their way to visit Rick and Angela in Wyoming.  First stop, however, will be a stop for a cup of coffee with Gladys when they get into the Sioux Falls area.  They'll be back on July 1.